Children’s journeys to school are a daily reality across Europe, yet road traffic remains a significant risk for them. While the European Union has made long-term progress in reducing road deaths, recent data shows improvement has slowed, highlighting the need for renewed action – especially for vulnerable road users such as children.
General road safety statistics show that 19,940 people were killed on EU roads in 2024, representing a 12% decrease since 2019 but falling significantly short of the annual 4,6% reduction needed to meet 2030 standards (transport.ec.europa.eu)
Why children’s road safety matters
Children only fully develop their traffic senses at the age of 12 to 14 years old since there physical and cognitive skills are still in development until then. Therefore, children can easily become innocent victims in collisions, due to poor infrastructure, inappropriate speed limits or unsafe traffic behaviour of others.
The latest report on children of the European Road Safety Observatory revealed that in 2023 approximately 780 children at the age 5 -17 years old got killed in European roads, and 115,000 got injured. Many of these fatalities happened on urban roads, during daylight and while walking, reflecting their travels to and from school. It is estimated that at least 12% of these children were killed in a school zone (250m around a school) and 35% were injured (road-safety.transport.ec.europa.eu).
Risks around school journeys
There are several factors that may contribute to risk during school travel:
- Increase in private car as default mode to travel to school: Due to the expansion of cities, single-use zoning and increased safety concerns, parents more often choose to take the car to drop off their children. Parents also sometimes want to drop off their children by car as close to the entrance as possible.
- Traffic congestion: School start and finish times create peaks in traffic that increase exposure to collisions.
- Infrastructure gaps and speed limits: Many schools lack safe crossings, segregated cycle routes or traffic calming measures.
- Vehicle safety: Lack of safety regulations regarding child restraint systems can increase the severity of injuries when a crash happens.
Actions to improve road safety
There are various actions that can be implemented to improve the safety of children. Some examples are:
- School streets: By implementing school streets, roads around schools are closed for vehicles at the start and end of the school day. Designated drop-off points can be used by parents who bring their children to school by car.
- Safe infrastructure: Crossings, good visibility, speed restrictions and separated infrastructure for pedestrians and cyclists can improve the safety of the school area.
- Education and awareness: Road safety education for children and parents can improve safe behaviour and decision-making. Parents can be encouraged to swap their car for a bike to bring their children to school.
Safe school travel does not only support road safety, but also has various other broader benefits:
- it supports children’s independence
- it encourages healthy physical activity
- it reduces congestion near schools
- it builds lifelong safe mobility habits
Good practice in action
This month, the European Road Safety Charter is highlighting a Good Practice of the Month project led by Hellas Direct, which established the Safe Roads Project in Greece.
The initiative focuses on improving the safety of children travelling to school through targeted infrastructure improvements and local engagement. The project demonstrates how practical interventions at community level can reduce risk and create safer school environments.
By supporting safer routes and raising awareness among local communities, initiatives such as the Safe Roads Project show how organisations can make a meaningful contribution to protecting children on Europe’s roads.
Our members are dedicated to the safety of children. Two winners from our Excellence in Road Safety Awards 2025 focused on child safety:
- Securing and developing the areas around schools in Lyon
- Raising awareness about road safety at school
Here are some other examples:
